Schomberg lowered his eyes, for the sight of these two men intimidated
him; but he was losing patience.
"Of course, I could see at once that you were two desperate
characters--something like what you say. But what would you think if
I told you that I am pretty near as desperate as you two gentlemen?
'Here's that Schomberg has an easy time running his hotel,' people
think; and yet it seems to me I would just as soon let you rip me open
and burn the whole show as not. There!"
A low whistle was heard. It came from Ricardo, and was derisive.
Schomberg, breathing heavily, looked on the floor. He was really
desperate. Mr. Jones remained languidly sceptical.
"Tut, tut! You have a tolerable business. You are perfectly tame; you--"
He paused, then added in a tone of disgust: "You have a wife."
Schomberg tapped the floor angrily with his foot and uttered an
indistinct, laughing curse.
"What do you mean by flinging that damned trouble at my head?" he cried.
"I wish you would carry her off with you some where to the devil! I
wouldn't run after you."
The unexpected outburst affected Mr. Jones strangely. He had a horrified
recoil, chair and all, as if Schomberg had thrust a wriggling viper in
his face.
"What's this infernal nonsense?" he muttered thickly. "What do you mean?
How dare you?"
Ricardo chuckled audibly.
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